The Backup Singers

Those who sang for HIM!

BACKUP GROUPS
The Amigos (1962-1963)2-63)
Backed Elvis on "We'll Be Together" from Girls! Girls! Girls!, and on the Fun In Acapulco soundtrack .

The Blossoms (1968)
This girl-group backed Elvis for his NBC-TV special "Elvis" (the 1968 "comeback" special) They appeared briefly in Elvis' last feature film, Change of Habit (1970), as Elvis' neighbors.

Ben and Brock Speer (1956 )
Along with Jordanaire Gordon Stoker, they backed Elvis on "Heartbreak Hotel" and "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You", among others at Elvis' first sessions with RCA.

The Carole Lombard Quartet / Trio (1963 - 1964)
As a quartet, they backed Elvis on his recording of "What'd I Say", from Viva Las Vegas, in 1963, and as a trio, sang on the soundtrack of Girl Happy in 1964.

The Imperials (1966 - 1971)
The Imperials backed Elvis in 1966 for the How Great Thou Art album. They also appeared in the documentary Elvis: That's the Way It Is in 1970. 
Their last session with Elvis was for another gospel album, He Touched Me, 1971.

The Jordanaires (1956 - 1970)
The Jordanaires sang backup from 1956 through 1970. Their first in 1956, was "Don't Be Cruel" / "Hound Dog" which would be Elvis' biggest selling single of all-time. The last was in 1970 . They were in Elvis' films, Loving You, in the final number on stage, and in G.I. Blues, during the song, "Frankfort Special".

The Jubilee Four (1963 - 1965)
This quartet, along with the Carole Lombard Trio, backed Elvis on "What'd I Say" in July of 1963, and the soundtrack for the film, Girl Happy, in 1964.

The Ken Darby Trio (1956)
They backed Elvis on the soundtrack songs in Love Me Tender .

The Mello Men (1962 - 1965)
They backed up Elvis on the soundtrack session for It Happened At The World's Fair in 1962. They also provided backing on the title song to the film Roustabout, in 1964, and the soundtrack of Paradise Hawaiian Style, in 1965.

J.D. Sumner & The Stamps Quartet (1971 - 1977)
J.D. is listed in the Guiness Book of World Records for having the world's lowest bass singing voice. In 1972,they started backing Elvis both on stage and in the studio. Their first session together they did "Burning Love", "Always On My Mind", and "Separate Ways", and others. These last two songs were
filmed for Elvis On Tour.

The Sweet Inspirations (1969 - 1977)
This female group joined him in 1969 in Las Vegas ,his first live appearances since 1961. Along with the Stamps Quartet, the Sweet Inspirations often opened Elvis' concerts in the '70's with a few songs on their own. The
Sweet Inspirations appeared with Elvis on almost all concert tours up through his final tour.The group appeared in both of Elvis' documentary films, Elvis:
That's The Way It Is and Elvis On Tour.

Voice (1973 - 1975)
Elvis picked these from within his other groups and named them Voice. Sometimes used them along with the Stamps.

Single Backups
Charlie Hodge (1960 - 1977)
Charlie sang harmony with Elvis all the years they were together since 1956 both in the studio and on stage. He also had bit roles in several of Elvis' films during the '60's.

Ginger Holladay (1969 - 1975) -
Ginger sang with Elvis from the 1969 Las Vegas return to the stage, until the Today sessions in 1975.

Mary Holladay (1969 - 1975)
Mary sang with Elvis in the studio sessions 1969, and also in 1975 for the Today album.

Sherrill Nielsen (1975 - 1977)
He sang with both the Imperials and Voice and in 1975 began backing Elvis on stage,and often sang individually as on "O Sole Mio / It's Now Or Never", and "Softly As I Leave You". He was also present at
Elvis'last Graceland recording sessions (October 29 - November 1, 1976).

Millie Kirkham (1957 - 1975)
She backed Elvis on some recordings for almost his entire career. Her first was the Christmas Album in 1957. Her last was on the 'Today ' album in 1975 although she had been replaced already by Kathy Westmoreland. Millie was featured as the high-voice singer during the "Elvis:That's The Way It Is" movie.

Kathy Westmoreland (1972 - 1977)
High soprano who took over for Millie Kirkham in 1972 on Elvis' live concerts, Kathy also sang on most studio recordings from this point on until Elvis' death.